The Q&A’s below are intended to explain the details of the City of North Ridgeville’s Tobacco-Free Workplace Environment Policy.

When does the tobacco-free workplace environment policy start? The policy will be effective January 1, 2017.

What is a City of North Ridgeville’s “place of employment”? Means an enclosed or open area under the direct or indirect control of the City of North Ridgeville that the City’s employees use for work, or any other purpose, including but not limited to, offices, meeting rooms, sales, operations and storage areas, restrooms, stairways, hallways, warehouses, garages, and vehicles.

What is a public place? Means any City-owned, rented, or leased, enclosed or open area incorporating or part of a City facility, City park area, or any other City premises to which the public is invited or in which the public is permitted, including in or on private vehicles while parked on such City property.

Who does this policy affect? This policy applies to employees, elected officials, residents, visitors, volunteers, vendors and contractors who are on property and facilities of the City of North Ridgeville.

Are outdoor areas covered by the policy? Yes. Any open area, City park, or any other City premises to which the public is invited or in which the public is permitted including parking lots/areas.

Are there designated smoking areas on City property? No.

Can I smoke in my personal car? Tobacco use, including smoking in your personal vehicle, is not permitted while on City of North Ridgeville premises including City of North Ridgeville open parking lots.

What is considered a tobacco product and therefore prohibited by this policy? Means all uses of tobacco, including inhaling, exhaling, burning, vaping or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, vaporizer, other lighted smoking device or papers for burning tobacco, or any other plant; chewing tobacco, snuff or any other matter or substances that contain tobacco.

What does tobacco-free mean? Effective as of January 1, 2017, the use of tobacco is prohibited at all times: 1) in all public places and City public facilities as defined above; 2) in all City-owned or leased vehicles; and 3) on all outside property or grounds owned, rented or leased by the City of North Ridgeville, as defined, including in or on private vehicles while parked on such City property.

Do employees have to quit using tobacco to comply with this policy?No. The City is not asking anyone to quit. This policy simply means that no one can use tobacco products on City grounds.

How will this policy be enforced?Employees and visitors will be informed of the tobacco-free workplace environment policy through signs posted in City facilities/places/parks and City vehicles. Any violation of this policy by City of North Ridgeville employees will be handled through the standard disciplinary process.

What should I do if I see someone smoking or using tobacco on City property?Concerns about tobacco use by visitors whether residents or others should be respectfully addressed the moment they appear to occur.

What is the City of North Ridgeville doing to assist those who use tobacco and want to quit?There are a number of services and programs available to assist people who are ready to quit using tobacco. The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line is a tobacco cessation resource available to uninsured individuals, Medicaid recipients and pregnant women. It is also available through several major health insurance providers. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to see if you are eligible.